im 17 with type 1 diabetes, i took my self off the pump & meds, i was good,

[emzdaonly1]

now i feel diffrent again..help? i was tired of not being able to do anything as a teenager...and as i took my self off everything i was good...now ive been under a lot of stress with teenage drama and i think it aggravated my body cause everything is different..im always hungry and i get my period for 1 day ..plus ive been having pains in my side...i don't want to make a big deal about it cause i don't want to live in the doctors office again...so what should i do?

[micksmixxx]

Honey, you know what I'm going to say, don't you?

You need to get back on your insulin.

Being type 1 diabetic your pancreas doesn't produce insulin so you either have to inject it, or infuse it using a pump. There's no other way round this ... at least, not at the moment there isn't. (There are all sorts of experimental things going on such as pancreas transplants, islet cell transplants, etc. that look relatively promising, though they may be a few years from becoming mainstream yet.)

Because you're not getting the insulin that your body requires, your body's cells aren't able to utilise the sugar (glucose) that's circulating through your system. This, in effect, means that your body's cells are 'starving'. To combat this they use whatever source of 'food' they can find, meaning that they'll start to burn up your fat reserves and your muscle. This, in itself, leads to ketoacidosis ... the formation of acid in your blood ... none of which is any good whatsoever for your organs.

If you continue in this way, dear lady, you're lining yourself up for a whole life of suffering. I'm sure you're already aware that there are many complications that can ensue when your diabetes is out of control, which is precisely what is happening to you right now.

The reason you're hungry is precisely for the reason that I stated above ... your cells are 'starving'. Even with food going into your body, and then being broken down into glucose ... the normal source of energy for your body, you are not able to use it. It needs insulin to be able to be used.

I know that it's a pain to "live in the doctors office", but that's only a short-term thing. Once your diabetes control is returned to it's former glory, the doctor's appointments will be able to be relaxed.

Do yourself a really big favour [favor] my friend, get back on your pump and start to take control of yourself. Believe me, I have a number of complications already, and you do NOT want them.

If you want a bit of moral support to help you on your way, click on my avatar/photograph and send me an email. I'll be there for you to shout at, punch out at, offer advice, or simply be there for if you need to have a shoulder to cry on.

Be well, honey.

[MamaSmurf]

You are doing your health a lot of harm and possibly setting your self up for a terrible time. Living at the doctors office somehow to me seems more appealing than not living at all.

[Steve]

way do that the med and pump are there to help you . you can do a lot of thing even with diabetes it just something you deal with.your body is telling you somthing wrong please go back on your med and the pump it,s a paned it,s there to help and as i say you CANdo any thing you put your mind to you just have diabetes and the only thing stoping you is you

[Don S]

I cannot add anything new to what has already been said, I can only urge you to go back on your meds and the pump. Talk to your doctor. The risks of not taking care of your health is deadly!!

[? terry g ?]

You cannot live a healthy life without insulin if you are a Type 1. Not taking your insulin can cause a huge number of complications, and can cause an early death. Please PLEASE reconsider what you are doing. Diabetes is a life-long battle but it's one you need to accept and fight.

[Cammie]

People with type 1 diabetes need insulin or they will die- soon.
Diabetes should not prevent you from doing anything.
My daughter was dxed at age 2, is now 18 and NEVER missed out on anything.